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can anyone rip a deck of cards in half? i cant really do it i can only start half of the deck. anyone have tips on how to do it? thanks!

I can rip a deck of cards, and rather thick phone books.
Also drive a nail into wood, then bite the nail in half.

For one you can google it. There are a couple of sites that teach this rather well. Or go the old fashion way, and buy a book on these types of feats. I did some of both.

Tips.... you need to have excellent grip. So constantly work out you hands, arms, and top back muscles (trapeziest [sp]).

Try different techniques, different positions, different starting tears...etc.

Good luck.

With the greatest of respect, why would you ask this on a magic forum? It may be a good circus stunt but its hardly magic is it?

magicman,
This is an old stunt that has appeared in many old magic books.

The critical preparation seems to be drying out the cards (or phone directory) in an oven first; after that, simply bevel the edges slightly and tear.

And, even though it is in many magic books, I tend to agree with Johnny Wizz (above): It's hardly magic!

Yeah.. . Drying and tearing by bevel is the way but why???? As a filler between effects maybe.... As a way to dump a pack of cards where a trick has gone wrong maybe ("I never did like that deck anyway") but as something solo.... Why?

Could be a good way to end Paul Harris's Screwed Deck?

By the way I have to announce here that I'll be using the Art of Astonishment as reference material for all my answers to any posts for the forseeable future, probably for ever. You have been warned.

Peter Marucci wrote:magicman,
This is an old stunt that has appeared in many old magic books.

The critical preparation seems to be drying out the cards (or phone directory) in an oven first; after that, simply bevel the edges slightly and tear.

And, even though it is in many magic books, I tend to agree with Johnny Wizz (above): It's hardly magic!

The drying is not needed though. I personally have never used it, never needed it.

Though many performers I have seen, do use it.

It really depends on ones ability.

I can rip a phone book in half impromptu. I've found very little use for it, though.

Where would you use an impromptu phone book tear?

Round at someones house: "hey can i borrow your phone book?" *RIP*

I feel it would be more polite to bring your own, in which case, you might as well gimmick it.

crozboz wrote:Where would you use an impromptu phone book tear?

Round at someones house: "hey can I borrow your phone book?" *RIP*

I feel it would be more polite to bring your own, in which case, you might as well gimmick it.

Some of us, like myself, prefer not to rely on many gimmicks... especially when they arent needed.

Why would most people need to rip a phone book in half.. period.

Why would you need to make a card pop into a wallet impromptu?

I mean come on...
Just because you dont perform these types of things... doesnt mean you need to put them down.

And actually I have gone over to peoples homes, during a party, and been REQUESTED to rip a couple of phone books and challenge.

For the most part, I find that gimmicks are for those without the skill.
Not all gimmicks are bad, some are needed; but when not needed...

I wasnt putting it down, but i feel it would be easier, and more polite, if not requested, to bring your own gimmicked phone book, rather than ripping up someone else's.

crozboz wrote:Where would you use an impromptu phone book tear?

Round at someones house: "hey can I borrow your phone book?" *RIP*

I feel it would be more polite to bring your own, in which case, you might as well gimmick it.

Exactly. I can do it with an old one someone's throwing out, it's not difficult or particularly strenuous, but how many time a year does that happen?

I can do the phone book as well. Never tried a deck of cards, never really thought about it. And I never dried it out either I didn't know that was an option. And yeah, never really saw any use for it.

What is pretty impressive is the one hand opening of a deck of cards that still has the seal on it. I kind of understand the technique but never quite got it to work. It is described in Jimmy Grippo's book. Again, not magic but just an added umph when introducing a new deck of cards. Of course I find it more difficult to use a new deck but hey. More difficult often makes things interesting.

the reason i want to know is not because i want to do it regularly but my class at school wants me to do it for my next trick. i do a trick every monday for them. thats what they wanted to see. so i really should have asked for some tips on how to do it. and thanks to everyone who has helped so far.

magicman777 wrote:the reason I want to know is not because I want to do it regularly but my class at school wants me to do it for my next trick. I do a trick every monday for them. thats what they wanted to see. so I really should have asked for some tips on how to do it. and thanks to everyone who has helped so far.

"The magician controls the audience, not the other way around."